He played college football as an end for the Michigan Wolverines from 1962 to 1964.
He was the captain of the Big Ten champion 1964 Michigan Wolverines football team and was selected as a first-team defensive end on the 1964 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
He attended Springdale High School and earned all-state honors as a fullback.
[1] In June 1961, Conley announced his plan to enroll at the University of Michigan and to study hospital administration.
[3] The 1964 team compiled a 9–1 record, won the Big Ten championship for the first time since 1950, and defeated Oregon State in the 1965 Rose Bowl by a score of 34–7.